Knoxville mayor Madeline Rogero, right, tells House of Representative candidate Gloria Johnson, left, that she has been declared the winner over Republican candidate Gary Loe as she prepares to do an interview as Knoxville Democrats gather at The Square Room on election night, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. (AMY SMOTHERMAN BURGESS/NEWS SENTINEL)

Patrons like Thomas Carpenter, 23, started gathering at the Casual Pint early Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 to drink and watch election results on several televisions. Carpenter, a graduate student in chemistry, said this was his second election and planned to keep up with three websites on his laptop. (MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL)

Supporters cheer as CNN predicts the state of Michigan will go to President Barack Obama as Knoxville democrats gather at The Square Room on election night, Tuesday, Nov. , 2012. (AMY SMOTHERMAN BURGESS/NEWS SENTINEL)

Vivian Shipe and her son James Shipe of Knoxville pose with a Barack Obama cut out as Knoxville democrats gather at The Square Room on election night, Tuesday, Nov. , 2012. (AMY SMOTHERMAN BURGESS/NEWS SENTINEL)

U.S. Rep. John J. "Jimmy" Duncan talks with supporters at the Republican Party headquarters at the Crowne Plaza Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 in Knoxville, Tenn., to watch the results of the election. (MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL)

18th District Tennessee House candidate Steve Hall, center, is congratulated by Ken Gross at the Crowne Plaza on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. At left is Anne Cortese. (Saul Young/News Sentinel)

2012 Knoxville News Sentinel

Rep. Roger Kane talks to supporters at the Republican Party headquarters Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 in the ballroom at the Crowne Plaza while they were gathered to watch the results of the election. (MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL)

Rep. Steve Hall talks with partygoers at the Republican Party headquarters Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 in the ballroom at the Crowne Plaza while watching the results of the election. (MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL)

Rep. Bill Dunn talks with partygoers at the Republican Party headquarters Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 in the ballroom at the Crowne Plaza while wathicng the results of the election. (MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL)

U.S. Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr., center, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 talks with supporters in the ballroom at the Crowne Plaza while watching the results of the election. (MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL)